By Isiah Christie
Cangiano’s, famous in the Jersey City inner circle for its premium Italian food, is celebrating the opening of a new location in shopping hotspot, Journal Square. Journal Square is known for its diversity in eating dishes, but it does not possess a strong abundance of Italian restaurants to fill that niche – as a result, Cangiano’s is expected to benefit greatly from its newfound positional advantages and lukewarm competition.
A family-run franchise, opened in 1919 by the current Cangiano generation’s grandparents, the specialty shop originated in Brooklyn, New York. It eventually expanded to Staten Island by one of the said grandparents’ sons, and locally maneuvered to Jersey City in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. This rendition of the marketplace has earned it a rich reputation amongst New Jersey residents, acclaimed for its culinary variety and welcoming nature to Jersey City’s diverse population. It also opened at a time that warmed the otherwise defeated nature of locals amidst a stressful pandemic, serving as a convenient means of dining in a period otherwise defined by stressful grocery trips and inconsistent access to food. Cangiano’s was therefore viewed as a heroic establishment then, and has maintained its incredible popularity to the modern day, where it is now considered a top-tier eatery in a city known for its depth of restaurant culture.
Following a hugely successful five years, Cangiano’s has now developed the traction to open another location in Journal Square. Management raced to the opportunity quickly, signing off by May 2025 and soft opening on Monday, June 30th. An official grand opening date is tentative at the moment, but the storefront is still open to visitors. It will also be succeeded by a third Jersey City location in the Emerson Lofts complex, north of Hamilton Park.
Cangiano’s offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals, including cold cut and hot sandwiches prepared freshly. Popular options include their prosciutto, roast beef, grilled chicken, and eggplant sandwiches, as well as specialized chicken parmigiana and Boar’s Head deli options. Other lighter dishes are well-received as well, such as wraps, chicken tenders and salads. Plenty of sides are available to accompany main entrees as well. Notable breakfast options include an assortment of baked goods, such as bagels, croissants, fresh bread, rolls, and cookies; breakfast sandwiches ranging from hearty egg and bacon sandwiches, to healthier options with egg whites; and coffees for any commuters in need of a pick-me-up.
A catering menu with platters, large-scale pasta dishes, fresh meats, salads, and more, is also among their greatest bragging rights. It’s just the cherry on top for a location so unbelievably diverse that it’s no surprise how it captured the hearts of downtown Jersey City. And there isn’t a second thought about what’s up next – a Journal Square population so happy with a new go-to Italian location. That business will be booming within days.
